I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace

Within the Archlesia Empire, the Temple of Fertility is a place that many people are deeply familiar with. Due to the land’s nature, the Archlesia Empire has always been less suitable for agriculture compared to Symphonia Kingdom or Hydra Kingdom, and until the temple was built, its food self-sufficiency rate had remained low.

However, after Shallow Vernal dispatched the Goddess of Fertility, Elune, to the Archlesia Empire to establish her temple there, things changed. Thanks to the Divine Protection of Fertility she bestows every year across the entire empire, crops began to grow steadily even in Archlesia’s harsh lands. For the Archlesia Empire, Elune became an exceptionally vital figure, and faith towards her quickly grew widespread.

Even before the White God Festival, Elune herself had always been one of the more Human-friendly Gods among the Gods, occasionally attending national ceremonies as a guest of honor. However, while she did attend such events, she would never participate in parties or private gatherings, maintaining a respectful distance. Her conduct, neither too distant nor overly familiar, was often praised by Life as exemplary, a perfect model for low-ranking Gods dispatched to the Human Realm.

After the White God Festival, it seemed that she began appearing more often in public ceremonies in line with the collective stance of the Gods…… Even so, receiving a personal summons from her was unheard of, an utterly extraordinary event.

And now, trembling as they made their way towards the Temple of Fertility after receiving this unprecedented summons from a God, were Baron Ritch and Marie Ritch.

[……T- This is actually my first time going to Goddess of Fertility-sama’s main sanctuary……]

[You didn’t even receive the New Year’s blessing this year. Considering the distance between our territory and the capital, that’s only natural.]

Naturally, not every member of a noble family receives a Temporary Blessing directly from a low-ranking God. After all, while Blessings given directly by such Gods are undeniably effective, they also come at a steep price, one gold coin per blessing.

For the Ritch Barony, known to all as a poor noble household, they could not possibly afford to give even their fourth daughter, Marie, an annual Blessing.

And beyond the Blessing fee itself, traveling from the Ritch Barony to the Temple of Fertility where Elune resides requires a long carriage journey, paying for the use of a teleportation gate, then renting another carriage in the capital to continue the trip…… The travel expenses alone are considerable.

Although the family does travel to the Imperial Capital’s Temple of Fertility once a year for the ceremony, rather than visiting the smaller temple near their domain, Marie and the other younger siblings merely receive a Blessing from a priest at the front shrine. Only Baron Ritch, his wife, their heir and eldest son, and their eldest daughter who manages the family’s farmland are permitted into the main sanctuary to receive Elune’s direct blessing.

Thus, this was the first time Marie would be meeting Elune in person, and she was understandably nervous.

[……I borrowed another dress from Elder Sister. Well, I don’t own any clothes that would be suitable for meeting Goddess of Fertility-sama, so I had no choice, but I can’t help worrying I might stain it somehow.]

[It seems we’ll need to buy you a proper, high-quality dress of your own soon. We couldn’t make it in time for this visit, but you’ll also need formal attire for our future negotiations with the Lord Trading Company and the Death King’s subordinate. Since we’re in the Imperial Capital, we might as well buy one before we return.]

[A- Ahaha…… Normally I’d be thrilled to go shopping for clothes in the capital, but right now my stomach just hurts.]

[I understand the feeling. Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on or what we’re supposed to do. I’d have liked to take the words about “seeking counsel anytime” literally and rush to consult with Marquis Hamilton, but…… we couldn’t possibly keep Goddess of Fertility-sama waiting.]

To be frank, Baron Ritch’s capabilities could hardly be called impressive, and above all, he lacked any real experience. Having grown up in a remote frontier far removed from political schemes and noble intrigue, Baron Ritch had no idea how to deal with this unprecedented situation. It was only natural that he wanted to seek advice from someone far more intelligent, like Marquis Hamilton.

[……The capital is so dazzling. If we were here just for sightseeing or shopping, I might actually be enjoying this……]

[If we register this location into your teleportation magic tool, it’ll be easier to come to the Imperial Capital next time, won’t we?]

[Even if we do come, it’s not like we’ll have the money to go shopping around the capital. Still, yes, I suppose we should register it, if only because it might become necessary later.]

As she gazed at the Temple of Fertility coming into view beyond the window, Marie gave a faint, helpless smile, as though trying to escape reality. Deep down, she wished for only one thing…… that this ordeal would end peacefully, without incident.

……A wish that, unfortunately, would not be granted……

---

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [What a merciless narration……]